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did believe it, it would make no difference. Adam is kind, but he does not care a pin to be virtuousand neither do you! Joanna is different." |
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Alinor, too, had become serious. She turned her eyes, dark with worry, up to Ian's face. "I know. But" Alinor checked herself suddenly and looked away. She was supposed to be inducing Ian to speak of his troubles, not really pouring out her own. Ian covered the hand he was holding and pressed it gently. |
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"But you wish to send her away into safekeeping before the king returns. Alinor, what grudge does King John have against you? Simon told me once that you had displeased him." |
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"Displeased the king?" Alinor echoed, completely at a loss for a moment. "Why I hardly ever set eyesOh, good, merciful God!" Remembrance narrowed her eyes. "I had quite forgot!" Her lips firmed, and her jaw came forward stubbornly. "Sir Giles it will have to be. Sir Giles and Sir Henry I can trust. Men can be drawn from Ealand, and young Sir John will likely honor his vowsat least, if he does not, I know where to look next. Men will be no problem altogether. It is easy enough to hire men in these times. Yes, and Joanna will have to go, because I cannot leave her here in the charge of maidservants. Adam toooh, dear. Well, it cannot be helped. The danger that might come to him from being in William's care" |
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"Alinor, what are you talking about?" |
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Her glance at Ian was brief and abstracted. She was so deep in planning that she hardly remembered who he was and answered the question without thinking. |
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"I must remove and replace three of Simon's castellans. They" |
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"You plan to go yourself, bearing arms?" Ian's voice was hushed. He did not know whether to marvel or curse, laugh or weep. |
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Irritation flickered across Alinor's face. "Well, not bearing arms, of course. Do not be a fool or think me |
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